Question for the Group?: Value

[Lori Lennox]

My hope is that this community will grow and grow. Sharing our truths can inspire soulful reflection and perhaps be empowering in some way. Yet - I feel that there can be more here... more value for the member. Not just a "because" network, but a "because I want to be here" and a "because I either get something from it or give something to it" network. A space that provides value. So, I am in my own reflection about what that value might be - what we can do in/with this space to make a difference for each other. Simply sharing our truths is great and powerfully supports the platform of Many Truths, but perhaps there can be more. So, if you have ideas or suggestions - please join the discussion and we'll see where it leads. Thanks for walking with me on this path. Lori

[Butterfly]

I decided to check in to see how it’s going and I find myself stumped…pondering over a question of Value in this community as I’m ripping the $5 tags off my Big Lots purchase today. What do I have to offer here, what can I bring other then all the qualities that in may ways are just a disguise to who I really am…an illusion to who I am. Sure I can say I’m a wife, a mother, or that I’m creative, I’m fearful, I’m patience, I’m compassionate, I’m greedy, I’m angry, I’m ambivalent, I’m inspired, I’m honest, I’m devoted, I’m joyous, I’m competitive, I’m forgiving….etc. and all these parts that I think make up who I am are not even Me…..although… I’d like to add that I’m quite fond of the qualities that I have chosen to experience for myself and at times find myself attaching to them as if they are what make up who I am…..

…so now a question of what it is that I value here steps up to plate and I realize that out side these “qualities”…the core of me is just a simple beauty which has wrapped itself with Love. Yes. Love is beading me a necklace and each and everyday I pick and choose each bead carefully…creating a new me and who I am to become….so I value a community like I do a diamond on a necklace…there are many facets and they all have a chance to shine in the right light ..I value a community who has honor and respect….I value patience with one another…and most important I value a community who can change and grow in their love for one another.

[Lori Lennox]

Eloquently and thoughtfully said. A community with the values of patience - of respect for revelation of true self ... and a community that will grow in it's love for one another. Now that is indeed - VALUE. Thank you butterfly. We are glad you are here. Your contributions are diamonds, in and of themselves.

[Kaia]

Great question, Lori.

In my life right now, value is waking up to read the poems of Mary Oliver and Leonard Cohen. To awaken in inspiration gives me a flow of mind so peaceful that I find I can naturally gift it to others throughout the day.

Mindful

Everyday
I see or I hear
something
that more or less

kills me
with delight
that leaves me
like a needle

in the haystack
of light.
It is what I was born for
to look, to listen

to lose myself
inside this soft world
to instruct myself
over and over

in joy,
and acclamation
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional

the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant--
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,

the daily presentations.
Oh good scholar
I say to myself
how can you help

but grow wise
with such teachings
as these
the untrimmable light

of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?

[Rick Lennox]

Here are some thoughts about the potential value of this sight. There's that old saying, you get out what you put in. We'll you also get out what you get out ~ meaning, that to some degree, we're each going to get out of this what we try to get out of this. On a very basic level, and while this community remains small, I get to learn some new thoughts and cares from people who are close to me. As it grows, this site becomes a kaliedocsope of what's important to people - what is their "true north" in life and by what principes do they aspire to live by. Eventually, this may very well become itself a colletion/repostitory of "many truths." Lastly, I hope people feel comfortable looking here for inspiration, guidance, insight, or just support ~ that people feel comfortable in sharing their needs ~ bringing up specific challenges or general questions and others take the time and slow down and share.